4-5 point 4-3 approach keima, contact at 6-3

  Difficulty: Expert   Keywords: Joseki
[Diagram]

White's (other) contact play

Playing W1 here offers White a simple counter to BC, in cases where the important ladder is bad for Black.

Black can play confidently at a in cases where the ladder (see below) is favorable. If not, Black at a is somewhat less attractive, and Black will also look at the plays at b and at c.

The cross-cut variation

[Diagram]

No compromise

This is the key line: it might turn out to the advantage of either player. Now Black at a or at b.

[Diagram]

Black's reply at a

In this case B3 is what Black wants to play (as a double-purpose move: in order to threaten WS with a ladder capture while also threatening to WC with isolation by playing at the circled point.

This actual result isn't so common in pro games, since White will try to avoid it.

[Diagram]

White secures the corner

White will play W1 and B2 assumes the good ladder.

White now has some ladder aji to exploit; Black will complete the capture shortly, and then White will consider expanding the corner at a.

Black is guaranteed good thickness in this line.

If Black has to back down ...

[Diagram]

Solid connection

... then this is seen in pro games. W6 is a kind of tesuji based on WC, because Black doesn't have a good atari play now.

This is therefore a tough fight for Black. It has gone well beyond the idea that Black plays a cover and White has to play somewhat passively.

Black extends

[Diagram]

Black extends, White attaches

When B1 is played in reply to WC, W2 is a standard idea, before pushing once more at the circled point (which is after all pushing from behind).

At this point any of a, b or c can be played by Black, according to current pro practice.

[Diagram]

Variation 1

At B3 there are several variations. In this one White will take sente after B5.

[Diagram]

Black takes sente

This is another way to play for Black, taking sente - at a cost, naturally.

[Diagram]

Variation 2

Playing B1 and B3 is currently fashionable. What now for White?

[Diagram]

Variation 2 - continuation

Usually W1 is played, provoking this sequence. Black has sente, but White's corner isn't small.

[Diagram]

Variation 3

This is known only in Korean games. Black is hoping for an improved version of the hanedashi variation.

[Diagram]

Variation 3 - continuation

After these plays it has reached a position from that joseki, but with the WC/BC exchange in place. What follows is on similar lines.

Black plays contact at 3-3

[Diagram]

Diverting into the corner

This too is being played currently by the pros.

[Diagram]

Standard plays

These are the common moves that follow. White can take sente at this point.

[Diagram]

Another possibility

Here is another line which is even more rare.


See also Get Strong at Joseki problem discussion.

-- Charles Matthews


This is a copy of the living page "4-5 point 4-3 approach keima, contact at 6-3" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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